Last week I did not post since I was away with little access to the internet, and even less inclination to be writing when I could be outside. I was in Vegas, and also Lake Powell area in Arizona. I wanted to go to Antelope Canyon, where my daughter went last summer. Kudos to her as it did not disappoint.
So there is my explanation. But I have plenty to type about today, including the anxiously awaited Dune Part II!! But first there’s this…
The Bear: I had heard some positive things about this series from people at work, and then I was seeing the awards come in from Golden Globes and elsewhere. I knew nothing about the show, but then decided to binge this over the weekend.
I will say that I think the best way to see this is to binge it. The episodes are less than an hour and it comes along well. Season 1 for me, to borrow from the genre, is a really good appetizer. You are introduced to the main characters including Carmen Berzatto (“Bear”) played by the outstanding Jeremy Allen White, along with other friends, co-workers and family members. The premise is fairly simple, with Carmen’s older brother who has passed away, by suicide, and he left the “family” restaurant business to his younger brother Carmen. Carmen inherits a staff used to making the Chicago beef sandwiches for a known clientele. Sydney Adamu introduces herself as someone interested in working at the restaurant and Carmen is receptive. Tensions ensue. The rest of the season focuses on the characters involved and how they are influenced by Carmen. The business struggles and there was plenty of disorganization in the records, the paying of suppliers etc. The final episode is a turning point for all those characters involved in this business, just as it was starting to operate more effectively.
Season 2 delves more deeply into the background and backstory of the family members and friends. There are new characters introduced including some Oscar awarded performers with Jamie Lee Curtis (playing Carmen’s Mom tremendously) and also Olivia Colman. Also add in Better Call Saul‘s Bob Odenkirk, not disappointing. This season is the main course with deeper and more emotional connections. Other new characters are introduced and we see the pressures that exist on these various characters.
I like this because the characters are fully formed, and bring a complexity rather than just being caricatures. It would be so easy to dismiss Richard as a foil with little to offer, but there is a moment of commitment to him by those around him where he can grow, evolve and contribute. This season shows the source of some of the creativity in the cooking. It really shows the workings behind the scenes at preparing, serving, creating a menu for a restaurant in a business that is notoriously ruthless and fickle. There is really good dialogue. Notably, episode 6 with Christmas with Carmen’s family years before the present shows me a couple of things: (1) I can see the source of the inspiration to cook as well as (2) I realize like in a number of shows that this is a family Christmas dinner that I do not need to attend. The real moments with the looks on the faces of those attending as well as what they say and do at this meal as the chaos begins are very well done. The the finale episode, episode 10, we can see just how impacted Carmen has been with everything happening around him. But the growth of the other characters is fun to watch along with how they interact. This is an extremely stressful environment that I doubt most people fully recognize. I look forward to seeing Season 3, and I will confirm that I agree with the awards that this show has been given. This is really good TV.
Dune Part II: I had circled on my calendar March 1 for the release of this movie from French Canadian Director Denis Villeneuve. I really liked the first part, but having read the Frank Herbert novel I realized that this was also an intoduction to the scenes and characters. Heck, we hadn’t even met the Emperor who put all these things in motion between the Atreides family and the Harkonnens for the oversight in spice production on the planet Arrakis, which has a native Fremen population which no one seems to know just widespread that they are.
I saw this in IMAX on Saturday afternoon in a full theatre. It is definitely a movie that should be seen in the larger screen and sound. It is simply visually stunning and builds upon the impressive world that Villeneuve had already introduced the audience to.
Go see it. It stays very close to the plot within the book and introduces a number of new characters with more Who’s Who in young Hollywood right now. They add Florence Pugh, as the Emperor’s daughter, Austin Butler (yes Elvis minus the Memphis drawl looking almost unrecognizable!), and Bond’s Lea Seydoux.
For the story, the conflict is just beginning as Paul has joined the Fremen, with the support of Stilgar, played by Javier Bardem. There is a prophesy about a saviour for the Fremen. The Harkonnens have taken the spice production by force, and killed most of all Atreides and supporters and they believe that they have killed Paul and his mother Jessica. If you know the book, then the happenings are all pretty much as you might expect. For those who haven’t then you can see some of the twists and turns that can take you by surprise. The use of Fremen language is good, as well as the focus of the manmade technology versus the power of nature. The scenes with the worms are impactful and exhilarating. Tension is created as these beasts are used by the Fremen in practical ways.
I certainly found that the Northern versus Southern Fremen views of the teachings of a Mesiah/One is a new take. I don’t recall it in the book. It adds a new layer. Much in the same way as The Matrix, where some people believed in The One and Neo or didn’t. How can we expect Fremen from across an entire planet to be the same with the same belief systems? Paul has some choices to make, while Mom Jessica takes her place among the Fremen. The new actors provide greater depth to the story and they contribute positively to the overall story. This is a worthy addition to the sci-fi genre for one of the more influencial sci-fi books ever written.
Mondays With Robbie 